Tender twisted threads,
plied of flax and silk,
Stitch hearts that never grieve--
Blooms that never wilt.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Hi Friends,It is just like a beautiful Christmas card here in Ogden. It snowed all day long yesterday, and we ended up with a lot of snow. As we were coming home from work, the sun had just barely peeked out and turned the mountain and the tips of all the trees blush pink. Teri was riding with me, and I was busy concentrating on moving forward along totally unplowed streets while she kept telling me to stop and let her take a picture. She kept saying how beautiful everything was and I just kept answering--u-huh. Then Bob called to tell us to look at the sunset which was indeed quite wonderful--totally pink and orange. I guess we should have just walked and experienced nature in its fullest. Of course, then we got home to 15 inches in the driveway and had plenty of time to enjoy. Christian was at a debate meet--thus we missed the joys of his strong shoveling arms. When I went to pick him up at 8:00 a swarm of kids simply piled into the car begging for rides. It was fun, and all their combined weight sped the car well along the icy roads. I always think that February snows melt quickly, but today is cold and our world has remained frozen in snow and ice.However----Shepherd's Bush is quite warm and toasty, the perfect spot to spend an hour or two of browsing and chatting I think that Teri has put up a picture of Scatter Luck, which turned out so very darling. It is ready now and we have even put together sweet little kits that put everything all together. Be sure to scroll down and take a look, you will love it. There should also be a picture of new pin cushions that Nancy has sent us. Everyone loved the Valentine pin cushions so much that she sent us adorable flower ones to make us think we are heading into spring. Very sweet. Scatter Luck makes me think about what is new from the Nashville market. Our new pillows were new, and now we are receiving the things we ordered from friends. OK here is the fabulous line-up:BLACKBIRD DESIGNS: Wow, Barb and Alma have been very busy. When we unpacked their order on Monday, there was a great gathering around the counter--both customers and S. B. workers. They have done a lot and each one is more fantastic than the next. OK First of all is the beginning of their tiny stocking series. The first three booklets are here with 3 little stockings in each one. January has a sweet flower basket on one, an old fashioned New Year's verse on another and the most adorable birthday/wedding cake on the third. February sports 3 sweet stockings with birds and flowers and alphabets. March has a wonderful daffodil, a Quaker motif and shamrocks. I have to get busy to be ready for the next 3 in the series. We are going to do a garland here at the shop, so stop by and see its progress. My Heart is True is a fantastic new book filled with Blackbird at their best. It has patterns for lots of little things from tiny pictures to pin cushions and stuffed hearts. Everyone here has started on something different. Teri is working on a little friendship piece and I would love to start on Flock of Birds. Actually, I could be quite happy just pinning the photos on my walls at home. Finally there are 3 little patterns for pin cushion/pin keeps sorts of things. Small Token has a bird and flowers for a pin and needle cushion. Wild Rose--totally wonderful!!!--has birds, a vine, and a vase of flowers. Bluebirds Thread Keep has a fruit basket and birds. You will have a hard time choosing which to do first.LIZZIE KATE: We have 2 darling new things from Lizzie Kate. One is a cute little kit called Chick Kit. It is cheerful and quick. Perfect for spring stitching. ABC Lessons is fantastic! I think we sold every one we received within 24 hours. I know that we just got more in. It has a darling, quirky alphabet with thoughts for each letter. It is warm and sweet and full of those sentiments that we all want our children to follow--or the whole world for that matter. Well, next week I will tell you what else we have received. I know we are expecting new patterns from Prairie Schooler as well as sweet new scissors from Kelmscott. I guess I have to go. I have been sequestered back here with the computer for a while, and everyone thinks I am shirking. Have a safe week.fondly, Tina

Scatter Luck is the newest in our scatter series. Complete kits are available, or we would be happy to send you whatever you need. Please be sure to check with you local shop first, but if supplies are not available in your area, give us a call.

Nancy has been busy felting up some spring pincushions for us.Very fun!!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Hi friends,When I was 4 years old, I hated that my older brothers and sister got to go to school and I did not. The one great highlight of my day until everyone came back home was when I got to watch Romper Room on our minuscule black and white television set. My mom would always tell me when it was ready to come on and she would prepare milk and graham crackers for me just like they did on the show. I loved every bit of that program--especially Willie the Weatherman. I even had a little Colorform set so that I could put his raincoat and boots on if it was raining. But my very favourite part of Romper Room was at the end when Miss Julie would get out her magic mirror and look into it to see all of the other children who were watching that day. I always loved hearing her call out the different names of the lucky boys and girls she could "see" that day, and I closed my eyes willing her to say my name. I don't know why, but I thought of that memory this week when we received a fax and an e-mail from friends in Arkansas and England who had been reading the blog and "popped" in to say Hi. It made me feel somehow connected with friends all over the world. I guess computers are almost like magic.Can you even believe that January is over. We have had nice sunny--cold--weather this week but are expecting a big storm this weekend, so I have to get a new project ready. I think that we have the new Scatter Snowflakes and My Valentine photos up at the end of this blog, so be sure to take a look. Then you have to look for a photo of the most darling Valentine pin cushions imaginable. We have a friend who makes them for us and she called to see if we wanted some heart ones. We have them all in a basket and they look so sweet. If you want to buy one, you will just have to call us for prices and we can tell you what we have available. They are each hand-made, so every one is quite different from the next. As soon as I send this letter off, I have to go look and choose one for myself. Something else fun for those of you who live near us: we are going to be having a little class next week--Thursday, Feb. 12th-- to make one of the heart-shaped cushions. If you are interested, just give us a call and we will have more details.I just got an e-mail from Julia Line--Longdog Samplers--and she has a new design ready--Tyler's Lion. It is fabulous! She says it is a tribute to the North American pioneer weavers and is named for one of the most famous men. I was very excited when I saw it and it reminded me of a sampler of tiny blankets, each one quite exquisite. I just love it. We should have it in the shop any day now, so if you are interested give us a call.We should also be getting new things in during this next week from the Nashville Market, so I'll try to keep you updated. We are hoping for lots of fun new stuff.Well, I guess I have to go and get on with my evening as you probably do with yours. I wish I had a little magic mirror to say Hi to all of you along with Penny and Julie. Have a perfect week filled with gentle inspiration.fondly, Tina

Oh wow!!! Here is a sweet basket of hand felted pin cushions. All are one of a kind and range in price from $14.00 to $26.00. these are so so so fabulous!!! We just unpacked them and had to show them off. I am hoping to see if Nancy will come teach a class... What a great idea!

It only took Mindi a couple of days to add the next section onto her From Sea to Shining Sea. It is stitched over 1 thread on 28 count fabric and is stunning. Thanks Mindi for letting us show it off.

Nancy is stitching her way through the new Halloween Flip it series from Lizzie Kate. Isn't it so fun!!!!!!! She is adding buttons as she stitches. She is using a great piece of 32 count overdyed fabric. If you are not comfortable with linen, we have the same fabric in 16 count.

My Valentine is a sweet valentine to give to a loved one. Stitched on Cream Newport with overdyed floss, this design is finished with a darling hand crafted button made especially for Shepherd's Bush.

Here is a new leaflet from Shepherd's Bush. Scatter Snowflakes runs $5.00. The fabric is 19 count Summer Khaki linen, stitched with Crescent colors floss. A great button set is also available from JABCO.

Check with you local shop, but if supplies are not available in your area, we would be happy to send you whatever you need. Backing fabrics are available on a limited basis, while they last. We have put everything together into a complete kit for Scatter Snowflakes and My Valentine. If you would like one please give us a call.

About Us

Shepherd's Bush is a needlework haven located in Ogden, Utah, nestled between the shores of the Great Salt Lake and the beautiful snow-capped Wasatch range of the Rocky Mountains. Tina Richards Herman and her sister, Teri Richards, opened their unique retail shop in 1984. This establishment--a needle and folk art store--was named for a district in London and is housed in a renovated 19th century blacksmith and carriage shop in the heart of Ogden's historic district. From the wildflowers and cranberries hanging from the heavy timber ceiling rafters, to the samplers and quilts adorning the worn brick walls--from shelves stacked with fine linens and homespun cottons, to the antique hutches brimming with hand-woven and dyed splint baskets, this store evokes a memory and nostalgia of a gentle life long past.